The Sprout
Supplies for Ukrainian refugees sent from Botley and Eynsham
The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Issue 166 April 2022
The Sprout
The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Directors: Janet Bartlam, Judi Bolder, John Clements,
Michael Cockman, Ag MacKeith, Robin Palmer
Editor
Ag MacKeith
South View House, Old Botley, OX2 0JR Tel: 724452 Editor@TheSprout.org.uk
Advertising Manager
Michael Cockman
50, St Paul's Crescent OX2 9AG Te l : 07766 317691 Adverts@TheSprout.org.uk
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Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in this
newsletter, mistakes may happen. The Editor and Team apologize unreservedly for
any errors that may occur and will do their best to correct them. This publication is not
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a personal capacity. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the individual
contributors.
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Hinksey Parish Publications Ltd, (a company limited by
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It can also be found online at BotleyHinksey.org.uk
The Sprout
Issue 166, April 2022
Contents
3 Letters to the Editor
Botley in Bloom
5 Let’s Celebrate the Jubilee
9 End of an Era for the XVth
13 Tumbling Bay Under Threat
17 Delights of Hinksey Heights
18 PPG Asks some Questions
19 Anglican Easter Services
21 West Oxford Bowls Club
23 Easter at Hill End
4th Scouts Funday
25 Planning Applications
27 Lot 3 Wood
29 Save Energy Stay Warm
33 Community Larder
35 Botley School
37 Kennington Memory Club
38 Randoms
39 Local Organizations
From the Editor
This is the year of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and there won’t be
another, so let’s celebrate in style! The Parish Council shares initial ideas
on page 5. Botley in Bloom is joining in the fun (p3), and so is Botley
School (p35). A couple of well-loved institutions are under threat
Tumbling Bay has been our local swimming hole for nearly 200 years, but
the structure is crumbling (p13). The Farmers Market’s been with us for
rather less time, but also needs our support if it is to survive (see page
38). The XVth Scouts, long established with the Baptists, are looking for a
new home (p9), suggestions welcomed. What makes you happy? Could it
be bowls (p21), antiques (p17), or getting close to nature, like Riki, who
mortgaged her house to buy a wood (full story on page 27)? The Patients
Group continues to ask the BMC hard questions (p18), Kennington
Memory Club continues to provide a haven for dementia sufferers (p37).
Sustainable Botley’s home energy session has uncovered some practical
help (p29). Easter events and service times are on pages 19 and 23.
Finally, Botley has rallied in support of those displaced by the war on
Ukraine. The cover shows the first tranche of food and clothes on its way
to Romania (p7).
Ag MacKeith
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor
Vandal proof
If the art project [to make the A34 flyover more welcoming, see March
issue] becomes reality, I hope that it will not become mutilated and
spoiled by awful graffiti like the once beautiful artwork under the A34
subway at Montagu Road/Stanley Close.
For probably 20 years the historic murals were left intact but so sad to
view them now. Why did the urge to mutilate special buildings and
places fall victim to ‘artwork’ abusers?
Perhaps future artwork can become vandal proof with special barrier
coatings?
Briony Newport
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Botley in Bloom
Front Garden Competition 2022
Entry deadline is Monday 6 June
Judging in week beginning Monday 13 June
Winners announced Monday 20 June
Categories:
· Best Front Garden
· Best Cultivated-Wildlife Front Garden
· Best Jubilee Hanging Basket or Window Box
The last category is a special one-off for this Platinum Jubilee
Year and we will be looking for creativity and appropriate use
of colour.
Botley in Bloom is sponsored by The Sprout, NHPC, and LeoQuent.
Celebrating the Jubilee
There will be four bank holidays in a row for the Queen’s Platinum
Jubilee, and Botley is not going to be backward in coming forward
to celebrate.
First there is the beacon, erected ten years ago by the parish council in
time for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. The plan is to light it as part of
the National Beacon Chain at 9.45pm on the first bank holiday,
Thursday 2nd June. If you look at the Jubilee Beacon Chain website
(https://www.queensjubileebeacons.com/) you will find various intriguing
possibilities: a special tune has been written for pipers, and there’s a
fanfare for a cornet to play as the beacon is lit. A special song
celebrating the Commonwealth has been commissioned for choirs. If we
can find a piper, a cornet player and a choir, perhaps we can manage all
three! Step forward if that sounds like you! Last time we started with a
candlelit procession from the field below, and came back down for hot
chocolate at the pavilion. It would be nice to do that again.
A tart has been devised by CountrywomenCountry Wide to celebrate
all four countries of the United Kingdom. It contains smoked salmon for
Scotland, leeks for Wales, potatoes for Northern Ireland and cheddar
cheese for England. There’s even advice on how to make enough for 70
people all to have a slice, one for each year, also on jubileebeacons.
We’ll put the recipe in next month’s Sprout.
Bring your
picnics to the
playing field
from 7pm.
There will be
a bar and
perhaps a
barbecue, and
some live
music or other
entertainment.
Could we
manage a
talent show
or at least an
open mic session? The picture shows Botley school children singing on
the field at the 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The second part of the celebration would be down at the shopping
centre on Saturday 4th June. This could involve:
an open air stage with a range of entertainment. Stagecoach have
expressed an interest.
stalls along the open space between Tesco's and the Co-op
other appropriate entertainment such as Morris dancing and
demonstrations by local sports clubs
a tie in with the Seacourt pub.
engagement of local shops and restaurants
decoration, bunting, flags etc.
the Crabtree Challenge. This piece of daftness would involve peo-
ple carrying heavy weights of some kind racing each other up the
hill from St Paul’s Crescent to Laburnum Road. How would it work?
What would be the prizes? Who could compete? Send your ideas
to the Sprout.
There’d also be some kind of local history exhibition in the Seacourt
Hall, perhaps also an art exhibition, and afternoon tea, courtesy of the
W.I., with genteel musical accompaniment.
Sunday 5th June is the day for street parties and the national ‘big
lunch’. So far we’ve heard of Poplar Road and Beech/Chestnut Roads,
and we look forward to hearing of more. This might be the moment to
bake that Jubilee Tart! As it happens, it’s also World Environment Day.
Other people are planning other things please let the Sprout know so
we can make sure they all get the widest publicity!
Botley in Bloom couldn’t be left out. A new category will mark the
occasion Best Jubilee Hanging Basket or Window Box.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Botley and Eynsham help for Ukrainian Refugees
Locals contributed 276 bags of clothing, bedding and food in the first
two weeks of March, to be sent by Barnabas Fund to those caring for
refugees in Ukraine, Romania, Moldova and Poland.
The first 40-foot-long lorry left the collection warehouse in Swindon on
March 13th with 30 tons, and arrived in Romania on March 17th.
Goods are still needed, especially dried and tinned food (sardines and
meat), and nappies. These can be left with Canon Chris Sugden at 36
North Hinksey Village (csugden@ocrpl.org / 07808 297043) who is
arranging regular deliveries to the Swindon warehouse. For more infor-
mation about the way these deliveries are being used please see
www.barnabasfund.org.
End of an Era
Botley Baptists call Time on a century of partnership
Scouting in Botley is about to undergo a change. Botley Baptist Church
Trustees have decided they will no longer provide a Community Hall for
the 15th Oxford Scout Group. We were informed that they are seeking a
change-of-use in the new building, giving users of the first-floor hall just
two months’ notice to seek new homes. Botley Baptist Church have
provided a hall for the 15th Oxford Scout Group since their origins in
New Inn Hall Street in 1909 and all through subsequent moves to the
old and new Church. This eviction brings to an end 112 years of the
15th Oxford Scouts’ sponsorship by and association with Botley Baptist
Church. The picture shows an earlier cohort in front of the former Bap-
tist church, where the Premier Inn now stands.
To quote the church’s own website they joined MACE in
redevelopment of the Botley shopping precinct, to deliver a new
church and community facility which meets the needs of a growing
Church and a growing community.” What looked like a fantastic oppor-
tunity to grow and serve the community better than ever, for us in Botley
Baptist Church, is gone.
But this is
where we see
the 15th Ox-
ford Scout
Group at the
beginning of a
brand-new ad-
venture. It
won’t be with-
out challenges
and the Group
(supported en-
tirely by volun-
teers) is de-
termined to
“Do Our Best”
to keep a val-
uable resource for the community open, although time is short. It’s a
daunting task, but one we will not shy away from. Scouts are do-ers and
give-it-a-go-ers. We do camping, hiking, abseiling, canoeing, tracking,
pioneering, orienteering and more! But we also get to hang out with our
friends every week having fun, playing games, working in a team and
taking on new challenges. We teach skills for life. Everybody’s welcome
here, all genders, races, and backgrounds. There’s a Scout adventure
out there waiting for you, and we’ll help you find it. Just with a different
home from now on!
Hopefully by the time you read this, we will already be typing the next
Sprout article introducing you to our new meeting place. However, we
need your community support for this. All help with finding a new venue
would be hugely appreciated, so the 15th Oxford can continue to en-
courage, support and help young people in our community. If you think
you or somebody you know can help us with this latest adventure, or in
any volunteering role please contact XVOxfordScouts@yahoo.co.uk or
XVOxfordGSL@gmail.com. Thank you. Tom Freeman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SKATEPARK UPDATE Canvas Spaces won the contract with
their brilliant tender. There’s a picture of the winning design on the
NHPC website, but this is only provisional, as consultation will
now begin, and we are expecting to make some changes follow-
ing lots of input from local kids.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tumbling Bay Under Threat
Once again, the future of Tumbling Bay is in doubt. Our much loved
river swimming pool, behind West Oxford Community Centre in Botley
Park, has been partly fenced off by the City Council for several months
now. There are real concerns that the northern wall of concrete is ready
to give way, with water now running behind it. There was a meeting
there on 7th March, when some 40 people gathered in the icy east wind
to let the Council know how much they value our local open-air pool.
Some four or five hardy souls had even come along to say they swim
there a couple of times a week all through the winter.
Tumbling Bay was first opened in 1853, to provide safe bathing for the
men and boys of Oxford, and has been used by swimmers ever since.
Generations of local children have learnt to swim here. In its heyday,
thousands would come to enjoy the waters. There were three swimming
pools, a water chute and diving boards, changing rooms and lifeguards.
Malcolm Graham records, in his History of Tumbling Bay, that 86,000
admissions were recorded between May and September 1947.
Use dwindled from the 60s onwards, as people started to go abroad in
search of the sun, and it was officially closed as a swimming pool in the
1990s. There was talk of turning it into a site for pond dipping, but the
Environment Agency made it clear that it was an essential component of
their flood management strategy, so it was saved and dredged. It carries
all the usual dangers of wild water swimming, but it is still enjoyed by
many children and families during the summer months and by hardier
swimmers throughout the year.
All through the
COVID
lockdowns,
Tumbling Bay
was a great
source of
entertainment
and exercise
for West
Oxford and
Botley. There
are plenty of
river walks and open spaces around but this is our one bathing place.
The photo shows a sunny day last summer.
What did we learn? Consultants have been engaged to explore
options, but the survey must wait till June, when fish have finished
spawning. The council have undertaken to maintain access.
Their ‘green and blue spaces team’ (what a name!) flag that this a
chance to rethink biodiversity. But we had come to speak up for this
valuable piece of local heritage, which we were eager to maintain. It
would be a shame to lose the pool just as outdoor swimming is gaining
popularity again. Over 2000 people have now signed the petition
launched by concerned local swimmers, calling on the council to
preserve the historic character and shape of Tumbling Bay by repairing
or replacing the existing structure. (To add your name, go to
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-tumbling-bay). The petition
adds that we’d be willing to help find funding for the more expensive
option of repairing the existing wall.
What came out of the meeting? The council made it clear they will not
promote swimming in the river. It will take ten years, they said, for
Thames Water to clean up their act and find better ways of dealing with
sewage than allowing it to overflow into our streams. In the name of
public health they cannot be seen to be encouraging it. However, they
did accept that people will keep going to Tum, and that means they may
fall in. It’s too dangerous to use the ladders on the north side, and they
reluctantly accepted that public safety requires steps to be installed on
the south side before the summer season begins. We also asked for a
proper notice about the dangerous state of the north edge. This would
do more to stop people climbing on it than the flimsy fence currently in
place. A red DANGER sign painted on the concrete would help. They
agreed to clear all the reed from the top basin and reduce the reed in
the lower pool by one third. They further accepted that what happens to
Tum is a matter of local concern, and said they will not proceed without
consulting us all first.
By the end it had become clear that the work can’t start this Summer,
and plans are unlikely to be in place by the Autumn. It’s hard to imagine
doing the work once the river is in spate during the Winter, so probably
nothing before 2023. Now is the time to revive the Friends of Tum. If
you’ve been a supporter, go to the new Facebook page called the Tum-
bling Bay Preservation Society and say you’re interested. If you’re keen
to ensure the survival of Botley’s hidden asset, please do visit it and
post your photos of happy days at Tum, and any ideas you may have of
ways of keeping it.
T. B . P. S .
Delights of the Heights
Somewhere to walk to or somewhere to walk from. With stunning
views of Oxford. Am I selling it to you yet? At the beginning (or is it the
end?) of the Hinksey Heights nature trail, just below the golf course and
slightly to the right of the vets, is the old bullpen in what was the
farmyard. Still sporting sloping floors and the remnants of a bull proof
fence, LeoQuent is the new kid on the hill.
By no means saving the planet, but trying to maintain what we already
have, this LeoQuent place houses vintage, recycled, retro, a little bit
antique-y, broken but fixed, upcycled and sometimes tarnished, quirky
furniture and curios. The showroom and workshop is manned and
painted mostly by Leo, occasionally joined and drawn by Q and all sewn
up by Judi. It is committed, and very resistant to buying anything
new.They can also paint, fix it, or chop it in half to make into something
else. We want it to go round again and not into the ground.
But that is not the only reason to head up to Hinksey Heights.
Also up on the hill are Hot Diggity Dawg providing doggy day care.
Cultivate are boxing up their locally sourced low carbon footprint fruit
and veg and delivering to anyone locally.
The dog-training club Four Paws, bringing all your dogs to heel.
Hilltop Veterinary Centre, helping all those pets.
The Golf Club Pay and Play as well as membership golf, plus the soon
to be renamed 19th hole, is open to everyone for food and drinks.
And above all whether you walk there down the impeccably kept
nature trail, drive via the garden centre A34 exit, or bike it everybody
gets the view. You can see the
whole of Oxford. All those
dreaming spires will make you
want to cartwheel down the hill.
And if you’re lucky you may even
catch a glimpse of a goat.
Come and look for yourself, we’d
love to see you at LeoQuent. In
the meantime check out our
website Leoquent.co.uk for opening times and where to find us.
Leo McAllister
Botley Medical Centre update
Following the publication of the Care Quality Commission’s report on
Botley Medical Centre (which can be viewed on the BMC website),
members of the Patients Participation Group met with the staff of BMC
and the chair of the Oxford Commissioning Group at Kennington Health
Centre to discuss the questions we had submitted.
Our report this month will focus on some of these and the responses
they received. We have also identified various issues to do with Ap-
pointments and Blood Test Results and will discuss our ideas with the
practice. Next month’s report will bring further details.
Question: Where is the Botley Medical Centre now?
A replacement Practice Manager has been appointed, starting in May.
A pharmacy clerk has been appointed to liaise between the practice
and the pharmacies, to smooth processes and speed up prescriptions.
Working with the Clinical Pharmacist she will process patients’ requests
in a timely way, so they reach the pharmacies quickly. She also deals
with requests from care homes.
She is already having an impact. Care-home requests have been re-
viewed and a monthly plan agreed with all parties involved. The practice
is confident the impact on the rest of the patients will soon become ap-
parent.
She cannot be contacted directly about prescriptions. She is part of the
Pharmacist Team and reports to the Lead Pharmacist, who is responsi-
ble for the smooth running of the prescribing system. If you are still hav-
ing problems, please contact the practice to let us know.
A full-time Lead Nurse has been appointed to take on the leadership
of the nursing team, starting in April. The team will still include the cur-
rent lead nurse.
The practice wants to recruit three more GPs. But there is a national
shortage of GPs and none have applied so far. Currently the BMC is
keeping up through Livi and locum GPs (as well as utilising other Clini-
cians such as Physicians Associate, nurses, etc). Instead of seeing a
GP, patients can be directed straight to a pharmacy.
A web-designer has been appointed to upgrade the practice website.
Question: Why does the CQC report say the practice is open at
7:30 when phones aren’t open until 8:00? What happens between
7:30 and 8:00?
Official opening times are: 08:00-18:30.
The report refers to Extended Hours. The practice is open from 0730-
0800 for pre-booked appointments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and
Thursdays with different clinicians.
There are also evening telephone appointments for extended hours
(18:30-19:00 on Mondays and Tuesdays).
Question: Why doesn’t the CQC report mention that Kennington
Reception closes early on some days?
It is only Reception that closes early. The surgery is still open for GPs,
Paramedic, Nurse and HCA. It is not a regular closure and only hap-
pens when we cannot cover the Reception on both sites. It will change
when all staff are fully trained and can be left without supervision.
Our next PPG meeting is Tuesday April 12th at 6pm To join please
contact me at csugden@ocrpl.org
Chris Sugden
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Easter Service times in the Anglican Parish
of North Hinksey with Botley
Maundy Thursday 9.30am Morning Prayer at St. Lawrence
14th April 7.00pm Holy Communion at St. Peter
and St Paul
Good Friday 9.30am Morning Prayer at Ss Peter & Paul
15th April 10.30am Ecumenical Service in West Way Square
2.00pm Good Friday Liturgy at Ss Peter & Paul
Easter Day 9.30am Holy Communion at St. Peter and St Paul
17th April 11.30am Holy Communion at St. Lawrence,
West Oxford Bowls Club Welcomes New Members
It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, experienced or a novice,
just wanting to play socially, or more competitively, you will be given a
warm welcome down at your local lawn bowls club.
The West Oxford Bowls Club can be found in Botley Park, past West
Oxford Community Centre, behind the tennis courts and before you
reach the Tumbling Bay bathing area. It’s a fantastic resource available
to the local community, has its own clubhouse and is blessed with its
own bar. From the start of the new season, WOBC is looking to recruit
new members.
Founded in 1924, the club built a strong membership over time. Alt-
hough the numbers may have reduced somewhat, the club is still very
active both on the playing side and on the social side.
For those of a competitive nature the club competes in the Oxfordshire
league and gained promotion to Division 3 in 2019. The club continues
to punch above its weight and narrowly missed out on promotion again
in 2021. However for those wanting to play a more social game, friendly
matches are organised against other local clubs throughout the season.
The club also offers weekly turn up and play sessions when club mem-
bers compete among themselves for fun. This is ideal for those new to
bowls and those keen to practise.
As well as the playing side, the club is renowned locally for its social
activities. These range from quiz nights, race & social evenings with
bands and discos ... to day trips away to other bowls clubs outside the
county. Recent
trips included
visits to Wes-
ton-Super-
Mare and
Portsmouth.
With an eye to
the future, the
club is now
initiating a re-
cruitment drive
for new mem-
bers, and
some activities
will align with
activities organised by Bowls England, the national association.
Top r e a son s to g i v e bowls a try:
1. It’s very do-able. Whatever your physique, bowls is a sport that will
help improve your fitness levels and mental wellbeing.
2. It’s not expensive. You don’t need lots of new kit. We have a large
selection of old bowls to use while you decide on the right bowls for you.
3. Age and gender are less important in bowls, so it’s a great way to
spend time with people of all ages, enjoying a bit of friendly competition.
4. It’s a great social game. Bowls clubs are sociable places full of peo-
ple looking to have fun, so bowls is a great way to relax, make new
friends and feel part of your local community.
Whether you want to be a national champion or just a social player,
WOBC is organising a number of open days when you can come along
and have a go. The dates for your diary are:
Weekend 7th May & 8th May, 11am to 4pm;
Friday 27th
May, from 6pm to 8pm;
Saturday 28th May, 10am to 1pm;
Sunday 29th May, 2pm to 5pm;
Saturday 9th July, “Fun in the Park” day.
On these days we open our doors to anyone interested in the sport. Ex-
perienced members will be on
hand to guide you and give ad-
vice.
During the season (from 2nd
May) you can always come along
every Monday evening from
6.30pm when the club is open for
members to practise, have a chat
and a drink. Prospective mem-
bers are always welcome on club
nights, so just turn up and intro-
duce yourself.
If you require more information
about joining the club, giving
bowls a try, or just general info
please contact Dave on 07931
603801 or via email:
wobc.membership@gmail.com
Dave Ellerker
Family Forest Days at Hill End over Easter
Tuesday 19th April and Wednes-
day 20th April, 10.00am2.00pm
Join us on our popular family ac-
tivity days... Lots of Spring fun in
the great outdoors. Walk in the
woods, make a den, follow the
trails, splash in streams, do craft
activities and toast marshmallows
on the campfire...
£8.00 per person (child or adult)
under 2s free. Tickets include
BBQ /soup and hot drinks in the Friends of Hill End pop-up café.
Book online at: https://hill-end.org/activities/upcoming-events.
These are self-led open days so children will be the responsibility of
their parents or carers throughout the day.
Please note, car parking is limited, so if coming with family or friends
consider lift sharing. Sorry, no dogs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fun to Come
4th Oxford Scout Group are or-
ganising a large community fun-
day on Saturday 18th June, from
1-5pm at Oxford Rugby Club in
North Hinksey please save the
date. Activities include: a 7m
climbing tower, archery from Ox-
ford Archers, football fun from
Cumnor Minors, activities and
games from the Oxford Sports
Lawn Tennis Club, pony riding, bouncy castle and an obstacle course,
plus lots more. Try out Oxfordshire Girl Guides' high rope bridge (see
picture), and try to build your own. Oxford Rugby Club will run a Hog
Roast, provide food from their kitchen, a bar and touch rugby. Radio
Cherwell are running the sound system, and there will be an open mic
stage. An amateur radio station will be part of the Oxford/Bonn link 75th
anniversary festivities.
Would your community organisation like to join in? All ages catered for.
Please contact chair@thefourth.org.uk. Save the date!
LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P22/V0070/HH
34 Lime Rd. Ground floor single
storey side & rear extension, top
floor rear conversion/ extension.
13 January
TDD: 10 Mar
P22/V0158/D
69 Yarnells Hill. Demolition of
house, garage, & swimming
pool.
20 January
TDD: 17 Feb
P22/V0261/FUL
Variation of
condition 2 on
planning app
P20/V2959/FUL
20 Linden House, Flat 4,
Eynsham Rd. Change study into
a bedroom in flat 4. Proposed
provision of 6 new flats
comprising 3x2 bed and 3x1
bed, self-contained units.
2 February
Target
Decision
Date:
30 March
P22/V0392/HH
Elmhurst, Harcourt Hill.
Demolish extensions. Build
single storey rear extension, &
enlarge 1st floor. Change of
windows, doors & roof finish.
17 February
TDD: 14
April
P22/V0470/FUL
New Barn Stanton Rd. Erect
single
detached 2-storey house,
parking area , soft landscaping.
21 February
TDD: 18 April
P22/V0354/FUL
Renewal of
planning
application
P19/V0253/FUL.
76 West Way. 1
st
floor flat to be
retained. Ground floor to be
converted back into residential
use. Existing single storey
raised to 2 storeys. Existing
garage removed,
22 February
TDD: 19 April
P22/V0480/HH
42 Hutchcomb Rd. Demolish
conservatory & raised terrace,
build single storey rear
extension, raised terrace, loft
conversion and dormer window.
22 February
TDD: 19 April
P22/V0482/FUL
5 Toynbee Close. Erect new
four-bedroom family dwelling at
rear of 5 Toynbee Close, a
driveway on the western
boundary plus garage.
23 February
TDD: 20 April
LOT 3 Wood
You are probably
unaware of a lovely ten
acre woodland on the
right half-way up
Hinksey Hill. Its name
is Lot 3 Wood, so
called because it was
bought at auction. The
Sprout’s very own Riki
Therivel was the
successful bidder at a
sealed-bid auction in
2003 and she and Tim
re-mortgaged their house in order to make the purchase.
I talked to Riki about how and why she went about creating and
managing her own woodland. She told me that the area had been
agricultural land for hundreds of years, had even been painted by
William Turner around 1840 (‘Oxford from Hinksey Hill is kept in Oxford
Town H all ) , but sh e wan t e d t o e n h a n ce h a bit a t b iodi v e rsit y. I n s h o rt,
she loves woods.
First it needed clearing and next a plan to turn it into woodland. The
Oxfordshire County Council Woodlands Officer provided valuable
advice and helped with a successful application to the Forestry
Commission for a grant for trees.
Planting started that same year, 7000 trees in all. Unfortunately in 2003
the UK registered its driest FebruaryOctober since 1921. ‘The drought
was really depressing,’ says Riki. Without rain the trees weren’t able to
grow well initially and I was really worried that I wouldn’t qualify for the
remainder of the grant from the Forestry Commission.’ Fortunately the
2,200 oak and 2,200 ash trees, plus field maple, crab apple, wild cherry,
hazel, and silver birch survived the hot summer and drought.
Contractors helped with some of the planting and did the fencing, a
daunting task. Eight acres are now woodland with a separate two-acre
wildflower meadow sloping down the hill with a beautiful view of
Oxford’s dreaming spires.
The O.C.C. Woodland Officer also taught Riki how best to manage the
land. The priority job was to mark out seven metre-wide paths and Riki
learned that an east/west orientation is good for butterflies. Trees were
planted so that the smallest trees were nearest the paths, behind the
medium height ones, then the tallest furthest away so that a bowl shape
was created. Before long, many flowers including two types of orchid
(pyramidal and common spotted), bluebells, ferns, lots of fungi,
badgers, foxes, as well as hungry and destructive muntjac deer, had
moved in.
Riki explained to me the principles of coppicing the hazel: apparently
you cut one seventh of the trees every February so that each tree is
coppiced every 7 years. The sale of the resulting pea sticks and bean
poles pays for the insurance and mowing of paths. They are sold out
already! Riki teaches coppicing to pass on her skills and she says that
timber management also now takes place as after 15 years’ growth
trees can start to crowd each other out.
In a stroke of genius Riki rents out three areas of her woodland to other
people. Riki says: ‘One area is used by archers who give bow-making
workshops and do green woodworking; another is rented to Oxfordshire
County Council for woodcraft sessions with disadvantaged children; and
the third is used by a couple who love it so much they have bought their
own woodland and will move to Somerset to live in it.
I was excited, but not surprised, to learn that in 2019 the Royal Forestry
Society awarded first prize (Small and Farm Woodland category) in the
South-East Region to Lot 3 Wood. This year the RFS, which is
committed to promoting the benefits of responsible woodland
management, will be looking for The Best of The Best. The judges will
be considering
how the land is
managed for high
quality timber,
biodiversity and
education. We
wish Riki success
in this great
undertaking.
My final question
to Riki was simply
Why? Her reply
was immediate:
‘It’s about joy!
The woodland
gives me enormous pleasure. It was an absolute pleasure talking to
her.
Viv Smith
Save Energy Stay Warm
About forty
people came
along on 12th
March to find
out how we
could reduce
our fuel bills
and cut back
our impact on
the planet. First
we heard from
a line of
experts which
is to say,
people who had had experience of the things we wanted to understand.
Then we took ourselves off to workshops and went into more detail. The
one I attended was discussing small steps that would make a
difference. One thing that emerged from it was the existence of an
organization called the Local Energy Advice Partnership LEAP for
short. It gives free advice and home visits to everyone who’s eligible,
and that seems to be most of us. The criteria are all on the website
(https://applyforleap.org.uk), but here are some examples.
You are eligible if you get any one of these benefits: Employment and
Support Allowance; Jobseekers Allowance; Income Support; Pension
Credit; Child Tax Credit, Work Tax Credit; Universal Credit; Child
Benefit; Carers Allowance; Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction
or a Disability Benefit (Incl. Attendance Allowance, DLA, PIP) .
Or you might qualify because of your state of health if you have:
Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Neurological or neurobiological conditions
(e.g. dementia, Parkinson’s, etc); Musculoskeletal conditions (incl.
arthritis); Blood conditions or Cancer, among others then you are
eligible for free help. If you don’t use the Internet, you can phone them
on 0800 0607567.
If you go and look this up in the Library, you can watch the reassuring
YouTube video which show s how they go about helping you.
Better Housing, Better Health is another organization that offers help
and grants (https://www.bhbh.org.uk). They give grants for energy
efficiency improvements such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation
and heating system replacements through the government ECO
scheme. You qualify for funding if your household receives income-
related benefits or has a low overall household income and a resident
with a vulnerability to the cold. Vulnerabilities can include suffering
from a long-term health condition, being in receipt of a non-means tested
benefit or living in a property that has a low energy performance. You
can contact them by phone on 0800 107 0044 on weekdays, or email
them on bhbh@nef.org.uk.
So there’s help out there, if you know where to look.
The other workshop, which was simply buzzing and could have gone on
for hours, covered what people have managed to do and what worked.
There were several examples of local efforts that had not cost the Earth.
We learned about Green Week, at the end of June, when people across
the county will open their homes to show the kinds of eco-renovation
they have carried out, and talk about how they did it and what it cost. It
would be great if Elms Rise could join in. There will be an Eco Fair at
the Town Hall at the end of June, show-casing this kind of work and the
companies that carry it out.
As for the tea and cakes, they were home made and free, so that was
definitely a plus! Ag MacKeith
Join Botley Community Larder
and help reduce food waste
From mooli to muesli, papayas to pot noodles, the Botley community
larder is the place to try new food, get a fantastic bargain, and help to
reduce food waste.
Every Thursday 3-5pm
at 81 West Way OX2 9JY, in the church hall
£3.50/wk for 14+ items of food, £7/wk for 28+ items
Sign up: https://www.sofea.uk.com/purpose-projects/community-larder/
The Botley larder is one of about 20 larders run by the charity SOFEA,
which gets surplus food from wholesalers and supermarkets food that
is within date and perfectly good to eat, but that would otherwise go into
the waste stream. SOFEA runs a warehouse in Didcot where they train
disadvantaged young people in warehouse skills, using the surplus
food. Every week the larders get an amazing selection of fruit, veg,
bread, tinned goods, cereal and other goodies brought up from Didcot,
plus top-ups from the excellent Oxford Food Hub. The larder
membership pays for food transport and support for the young people
everyone wins!
To joi n th e lar d e r, you need to se t up a di rect debit: £10 to sign up, and
then £14 every month (equivalent to £3.50/week). Then come down on
Thursday, join the queue at the larder (we have over 100 members), get
your name signed off, and then enter to see this:
A volunteer takes you
around and helps you
to choose food and
then you can sit at the
table in the centre,
have a free cup of
tea/coffee and slice of
Orits homemade
cake, and catch up
with your neighbours.
The larder is run
entirely by volunteers. The food varies from week to week, depending
on what is surplus at warehouses, so it doesn’t work as a “weekly
shop”. But it does allow you to try new things, help the environment,
support young people, and meet your neighbours. Other larders are in
Blackbird Leys, Barton, West Oxford Community Centre and
Cutteslowe. Riki Therivel
So Many Things to Celebrate
It has been a busy time once again at Botley School. As is our tradition,
Tuesday 1st March saw the children celebrate Pancake Day in style.
Children came to school bearing frying pans and pancakes and each
class ran races until we were left with finalists for the BIG RACE. The
overall winner of the pan-shaped trophy was Ethan from Year 6 who
showed skills in running at speed whilst tossing a pancake. Fun was
had by all the spectators! The second part of our day was our ‘Decorate
a Pancake’ activity where each child decorated a pancake with healthy
items. This year saw depictions of dinosaurs, lions, bees, patterns,
suns, etc. Creativity was at its max and then was eaten. This is
always a fun aspect of the school calendar and our focus was on how
this season gives us a chance to think about others.
World Book Day, 3rd March, was celebrated by children enjoying the
variety of books on offer in school and with some author focussed
activities. In Year 5 and 6, the teachers each chose a particular book by
Shaun Tan. His pictures and words are so evocative and inspired the
children to create new characters, build an entire city out of recycleable
materials, make Cicadas out of paper maché with glittery wings and to
set a book to music. Reading at Botley School has always been a
strong subject, our commitment to sharing good texts enables children
to enrich their vocabulary and tackle diverse issues.
We recently had a guest visitor to school, Moira Darlington, who sat
amongst our Year 1 children and broadcast an assembly across school
via our online TEAMS facility. She had come to tell us about an exciting
project to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee this is The
Queen’s Green Canopy Project which will see new trees planted across
the nation. Our part has been for every child and adult in our school to
plant a sapling provided by the Woodlands Trust Elder, Blackthorn,
Crab Apple and Dog Rose. We have been talking about the importance
of trees in our school grounds and in the world! We are also talking
about our wishes for the future; trying to look after our environment and
becoming more sustainable. We have created a new pathway and will
plant a small orchard with some larger trees sponsored by one of our
parents from Seacourt, an Oxford-based printing business.
We had great if muddy fun! Big thanks to all those who have helped
with this project. We look forward to watching the trees grow and make
new memories for the children of Botley School.
The Botley School Tea m
Do you remember when ?
How often do conversations start like this! It may be family occasions,
the local environment, significant events in public life, old items and
tools, or trends in music or fashion that we are trying to recall. Our
whole lives are a culmination of what we have experienced up to this
point, whether it’s things we’ve enjoyed or want to laugh about, or
maybe that astonished or even horrified us.
Once our memory is no longer reliable, we lose so much of our
background story. Our own identity is not as clear-cut anymore. This is
why reminiscences are so important for people living with dementia,
whose memories tend to be very selective. At Kennington Memory Club
we try to trigger the recollections of our members by conversation,
quizzes, games, pictures and music.
Do you have a passion you could share with our members? This is just
one of the talents that we welcome in our volunteers. Being a good
listener is another. Helping with the practical tasks involved with the day
centre’s operation is always valuable, but there are other things you can
offer. If you would like to join our band of volunteers, in whatever
capacity, please contact our organizer, Helen, on 07852 883496.
A reminder of what the Club does our day-care sessions provide
company, different surroundings, activities, music, friendship and
laughter, all much enjoyed by the members, and giving their carers
much-needed respite from their
duties. So if you, or someone you
know, would benefit from attending
the Club, held at Kennington
Methodist Church, and want to find
out more, please telephone Helen
(number above) or email
info@kenningtonmemoryclub.org.uk
There’s more on our website:
kenningtonmemoryclub.org.uk
Randoms
Farmers Market our community market
Had you heard? just as the fine weather’s coming, Botley Farmers Market
is on the verge of shutting down. But Doc Saman has weighed in to help.
On behalf of Jack MacLeod and the traders, he has launched a new Face-
book page for the market where he will share updates and weekly discount
and promotion offers from the traders. On behalf of Jack, he invites us all to
get involved. Perhaps you’ve always fancied having a market stall? Jack
will help you take those first steps with no financial risk. Talk to him on a
Saturday or message on Facebook (or on 07887 902412 if you don't use
social media). They are listening to all ideas and suggestions and they
mean to make Botley Farmers Market into Botley Community Farmers
Market
Manna from Anna
Botley Baptist Church is open every Wednesday and Friday 10-3pm.
Snacks, cakes, Tea, coffee all donations gratefully accepted.
Every Friday knit and natter, crochet and chatter 12-2pm
Thinking about blue almonds
The debut performance of an exquisite set of instrumental pieces com-
posed by Louisa Lyne Patterson of Oxford-based cinematic Arabic jazz
band, Brickwork Lizards. Scored for violin, viola, cello, and piano, Louisa’s
music comes from the heart. It weaves together subtly shifting tonalities,
Debussy-esque shimmers, nods to Yann Tiersen, and the occasional Ara-
bic inflection to create a glorious and emotive sound-world utterly her
own.." Not to be missed! Tap Social, Wednesday 13th April, 8:00pm ( £7)
Jumble sale
Saturday 23rd April, 2-4pm, Entrance 50p at Cumnor Village Hall, Leys
Road, OX2 9QS Items for sale can be left at the hall on either Friday 22nd
between 3 and 6pm or on the morning of the sale between 9am-12 noon.
Come and grab yourself a bargain. For further information phone
01865327819 Raising funds for UKRANIAN Charities
Botley W.I.
Our next monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, 5 April will have a presen-
tation ‘Every Picture Tells a Story,’ by Peter & Margaret Preece. Our Read-
ing, Green Fingers, Walking and Music groups will all be holding gather-
ings. Visitors are always welcome. Contact Val on 01865 245273 for hall
bookings.
1st Botley Brownies
Girls aged 710
Dean Court Community Centre Thur 67.30 Jean
Metson, firstbotleybrownies@gmail.com
2nd Botley Brownies
Girls aged 710
Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6:15-7:45 Alison
Griffin 2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com
4th Oxford Scout Group
Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts
mail@thefourth.org.uk Website:
http://www.thefourth.org.uk/
15th Oxford Scout Group
Boys and girls welcome
Fridays, Cubs 6.30-8, Scouts 8-9.30, 1 Church Way, Botley
Amy Cusden (Cubs) 07887 654386, Tom Freeman (Scouts)
07837 623768 xvoxfordscouts@yahoo.co.uk
Baby & Toddler Group
Tues/Thurs 9.1511, SS Peter & Paul Church Hall
BikeSafe. B4044 community
path campaign
Wants to connect Botley to Eynsham. Meets every 6-8
weeks. Contact via website B4044path.org
Books on Wheels R.V.S.
Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 248142
Botley Boys & Girls F.C.
Football teams from ages 8-16
Brendan Byrne 792531 brendan.byrne999@gmail.com
Botley Community Larder
Thursdays, 3.30 to 5.30 at St P&P Church Hall, West
Way, Facebook or email botleylarder@gmail.com
Botley and Kennington
Patients Participation Group
Second Tuesday in the Month, early evening. Contact
csugden@ocrpl.org
Botley Library
07922 849680. Open till 7 on Friday and 1pm on Sat,
otherwise 9.30 to 5.30 (closed Wednesdays).
Botley Seniors Lunch Club
Alternate Thursdays. Seacourt Hall. Jackie Warner
Ox.721386
Cumnor Choral Society
Rehearsals Friday 7.45 to 9.45 pm John May 07795 054142
or www.cumnorchoralsociety.wordpress.com
Cumnor Chess Club
Thurs 79pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett
01993 684494 www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk
Cumnor & District
Historical Society
Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old
School. 01865 724808
Cumnor Gardening Club
http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/ or phone 01865
721026
Harmony InSpires, Ladies'
Acappella Singing Group
Wed 7.30 at Appleton Village Hall. C. Casson 01235
831352 or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk
Hill End Volunteer Team
Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org,
call 863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk
Lawn Tennis Club, N Hinksey
Family club Email: Tennis@OxfordSportsLTC.org
West Oxford Singing Circle
Weds 2-3pm, WOCC, Emily 07969 522368 or see
www.emilyschoirs.co.uk
Morris Dancing Cry Havoc
Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk
North Hinksey Preschool
and Childcare clubs
MonFri 7.45am6.00 pm. Tel 794287 or email
nhps.manager1@gmail.com
N Hinksey Art Group
Weds 1012.00 W.I. Hall Christina 07931 707997
N Hinksey Bellringers
Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451
N Hinksey Conservation
Volun teers
Meets at weekends Contact Voirrey Carr
07798743121 voirreyc@aol.com
N Hinksey, Friends of
Annual Cricket Match/ Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.
N Hinksey Parish Council
clerk@northhinksey-pc.gov.uk
N Hinksey Youth Club
Weds at LM pavilion, Daz: 07791 212866 or F’book
Oxford Flood Alliance
R Thurston 01865 723663 or 07973 292035
Oxford Flower Arranging Club
4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: Ox 865259
Oxford Harmony
Wednesdays 7.30 9.30 pm at Seacourt Hall, Con-
tact pro@oxfordharmony.co.uk
Oxford Otters
Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays,
twice monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420
Oxford Rugby Club
Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com
Seniors, training etc jbrodley@chandlings.org.uk.
Raleigh Park, Friends of
raleighpark@raleighpark.org.uk
Seacourt Hall Management
Committee
Contact Lottie White, 07452 960100, or see
https://www.seacourthall.org.uk
Shotokan Karate Club
6+ WOCC twice weekly Martyn King 07836 646450
Stagecoach Botley
Seacourt Hall, Saturdays 9:00am3pm Performing
Arts for 4-16 yr-olds Oxf 590510 or 01235 390810
Walking for Health
2nd & 4th Saturdays 9.50 Louie Memorial Field car
park, Arnolds Way. Alan 07941 610913
West Oxford Bowls Club
Dave Ellerker 07931 603801
wobc.membership@gmail.com
West Oxford Taekwon Do
Club
Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall
01865 570291 www.wotkd.co.uk
West Oxford U3A
(Uni of the 3rd Age) http://westoxfordu3a.org.uk/
West Way Day Centre
Mon & Fri 103pm, Field House, 07740 611971.
oxfordshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
Womens Institute (Botley)
Alison Jenner 07598 251161
alisonjenner@yahoo.com
Weight Watchers
Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall
Banso tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com
Baptist Hall
1 Church Way
Contact: Diane Melchert 01865 243664
botleybaptistchurch@gmail.com
The Rosary Room
Yarnells Hill, Elms Rise
Contact Maria Brown,
Te l : 0 1 8 6 5 247986.
SS Peter & Paul Church
Hall, West Way, Botley
Contact: 01865 242057 or
osneybenefice@outlook.com.
Women's Institute Hall,
North Hinksey Lane
Contact: Val Warner
Te l . 0 1 8 6 5 2 4 5 2 7 3
Seacourt Hall,
3 Church Way
Contact: Lottie White on 07452 960100,
or email admin@seacourthall.org.uk
Pavilion, Arnold’s Way,
Elms Rise, Botley
Contact: Darren Blase 241254
louiememorialpavilion@gmail.com
Oxford Rugby Club,
North Hinksey Village
Contact:. Mary Bagnall
mary.bagnall1@btinternet.com.
North Hinksey & Botley Churches
Times of Services (once resumed) and Contacts
St. Lawrence, Church of England, North Hinksey Lane
1st, 2nd, 4
th
, 5
th
Sunday 11. 30am Holy Communion
3 rd Sunday 11.30am Matins
St. Peter and St. Paul, Church of England, West Way
Sundays 9.30am Holy Communion
Wednesdays 10.30am Holy Communion in Chapel of Holy Spirit
1st Saturday each month, 45.30pm Messy Church for children and carers
Rev Clare Sykes, Tel. 01865 242345 or revclare@btinternet.com
See table above for Church Hall enquiries.
Our Lady of the Rosary, Roman Catholic, Yarne ll s Hill
Saturday 6.30pm Mass
Sunday 9.15am Mass
Fr Daniel Lloyd 07584 323915 dlloyd@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.
Botley Baptist Church, 1 Church Way
Sunday Service 11 am.
Wednesday Zoom Bible Study 7.30pm
Choir practice Thursday 2pm
Diane Melchert 07742 662668 www.botleybaptistchurch.org
Calvary Chapel
Sunday services held at Botley School 10.30 12 noon
Pastor Philip Vickery 01865 864498
calvarychapeloxford@yahoo.co.uk;
www.calvarychapeloxford.org.uk
What’s On
April 2022
Thur 7th 12 for 12.30, Seacourt Hall Botley Snrs Lunch Club
Mon 11th 2.30, Dean Court Community Centre, U3A talk:
“The Mary Rose” by Bob Foster
Tue s 12th 6pm by Zoom PPG meeting
Weds 13th 8pm, Tap Social, “Thinking about Blue Almonds”
Sun 17th Easter Sunday
Tues 19th, and 20th, 10-2pm, Hill End Camp, Easter Family
Forest Days
Sat 23rd 2-4pm, Cumnor Village Hall, Leys Rd, Jumble Sale
raising funds for Ukrainian charities.
Mon 25th 2.30, Dean Court Community Centre, U3A talk: “The
Transformative Power of Sports" by WheelPower,
(wheelchair sports) based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Thur 28th 7.30, Seacourt Hall, Parish Council meeting
Weds and Fridays, 12-2pm, Botley Baptist Church, snacks, hot
drinks. On Fridays, bring your crafts along
Thursdays, 3-5pm, SsP&P Church Hall Community Larder
March 7th to April 29th, Thanks for All the Fish, photographic
exhibition at Ss Peter and Paul Church.
14th March to 16th April Local history exhibition at West
Oxford Community Centre, featuring lots of old
photographs of the parishes of St Thomas and St Ebbes